Debutant Watch - Dominic Felix

This installment of Debutant Watch heads to Northampton, England to feature super-middleweight fighter Dominic Felix. Dominic has been around the fight game for most of his life and has now decided to bite the bullet and have a crack at the pro game. Dominic trains locally with his dad and when in the capital he trains out of Hammersmith at the State of Mind gym under trainer Barry O’Connell.

Dominic, 37, makes his pro debut Friday night at the Deco in Northampton in a four-round contest against Lincoln’s Mitch Mitchell. Dominic’s brother, Curtis (2-0) also features on the card in a welterweight bout.

What made you want to start boxing?

“As a kid I was always into martial arts and my dad got me into kick boxing. I first started competing in kick boxing at around 16 or 17 but then turned into a big fan of boxing as I realised the sport of boxing had a lot more structure and opportunities. A few friends of mine were training at the Ingle’s gym in Sheffield so I started training there sometimes and just carried on from there really.”

Did you have a boxing idol when you were younger?

“My favorite fighter was probably Joe Louis, I liked how he systematically dis-mantled his opponents. As I got older I started admiring Muhammad Ali for the way he was his own person throughout his boxing career and chose his own path.”

Did you do much amateur boxing?

“My amateur career was quite brief. I used to fight out of the Dale Youth gym in London. I only had four amateur contests. I had quite a few unlicensed bouts and won a title at light-heavyweight in Ross Minter’s Queensbury Boxing League.”

How do you know the time is right to turn pro?

“I’m ready to turn pro. I should have done this a while back but time doesn’t wait for you. It’s something I have always wanted to do so we will see how it goes in the time I have left in boxing. I have sparred James DeGale in his preparation for his world titles fights and that has given me the confidence I need.”

Do you see a difference between amateur and professional boxing?

“I have noticed the pro game is lonelier. When I used to train at Dale Youth and the Fitzroy lodge it was like a family, as a pro your more on your own and the community isn’t quite the same.”

Do you work full-time alongside boxing?

“I work as a personal trainer. I work for myself and I train at a couple of top gyms in London. Because I am self-employed I can pick my own hours but sometimes it can be difficult but luckily I don’t have to work 9-5 in an office.”

What sort of fighting style do you have?

“I like to think of myself as a boxer. When I get frustrated I can punch, I will be aiming to utilize my left hand and blast a couple of people out. I aim to be a crowd pleaser.”

What ambitions/expectations do you have for your pro career?

“If I can get to area title level I will be happy with that. If I can pick up the area title that will be amazing and my record will be cemented for the rest of my life. Time isn’t really on my side so I have to be realistic.”